Queens Tribune

Earth Day is the celebration of our planet and its natural environment will be marked by several events throughout Queens this week.

Earth Day is the designation used for two separate observations, both held annually during spring in the northern hemisphere and autumn in the southern hemisphere. The purpose of the day is to increase consciousness of the Earth’s varied natural environments and inspire appreciation of our world’s ability to sustain and nurture the human race.

Earth Day is celebrated on two distinct days. The United Nations celebration of Earth Day, founded by John McConnell in 1969, occurs each year on the spring equinox, or March 21 in the northern hemisphere.

The other observance, Global Earth Day, was originated by former Wisconsin Senator Gaylord Nelson as an environmental seminar, and has been observed every year since January 1970. Today Earth Day is celebrated in many countries each year on April 22, including the United States.

On the special day, many “green” events are held to commemorate increased environmental awareness, and to remind people of the importance and fragility of the global environment.

Several such events are held throughout New York City, with local elected officials pitching in for the effort.
One event in Queens marking the occasion was the New York City Housing Authority’s “Goes Green” effort. For Earth Day the agency that oversees all public housing in the city donated 10,000 Energy-Saving Compact Fluorescent Light Bulbs to the Queensbridge Houses.

The Energy-Saving Green Initiative followed the announcement of a sustainability partnership with the Clinton Climate Initiative, the City of New York and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

The Housing Authority agency celebrated Earth Day by hosting a kick-off event along with its partners, including the Clinton Climate Initiative, to announce they will begin to install nearly 10,000 energy-efficient Compact Fluorescent Light Bulbs (CFLs) at the nation’s largest public housing development. The CFLs are a donation from the youth-run non profit RelightNY and were purchased with a generous $20,000 donation from CitiGroup.

A ceremonial tree-planting in observance of Earth Day immediately followed the announcement.

The Queensbridge South Houses are the nation’s largest public housing development with thirteen, 6-story buildings and over 1,600 apartments. The energy saving lightbulbs will save the city tons of money every year and cut energy consumption significantly. Queensbridge is home to 3,530 residents.

Another Earth Day event was held by U.S. Representative Gary Ackerman (D-Queens) and other local leaders on April 22. This event was held to announce numerous green initiatives intended for environmental improvement in Queens and Long Island

On Earth Day, in the serene setting of Alley Pond Park in Bayside, Rep. Ackerman held a press conference with local community, government and business leaders to announce a series of green initiatives designed to help protect the environment in Queens and Long Island. These initiatives include numerous cooperative undertakings by Ackerman, other government offices and the public and private sectors in the region.

At the event, Ackerman also announced two pieces of legislation to be introduced in Congress that are critical to preserving the region’s environment. In addition, tips for going green and federal tax incentives available for residents who use environmentally friendly products, was also discussed.